November 2018

My thanks to Grahame May who has kindly sent us these images. If you have anything to add to this gallery please send your images to me and I will be pleased to include them. administrator@rafadappassn.org 

Obituary For   – Anthony F Course (593057) – Bill Huggins (5th)

Tony Course passed away on 7th May 2018 after suffering for 2½ years with a number of health problems, including cancer.

I have written quite a number of obituaries over the years, but this is the first where I have never met the deceased.  Tony and I exchanged letters over a number of years and because of this background I feel that it is just one more that I must write.

We almost met a few years ago when my wife and I were in Mereton (France) and I telephoned to try and arrange a meeting; unfortunately, I could not contact him.

Tony had served in the RAF in France and, although he returned to the UK, initially he moved to Brittany and finally settled in Menton: an area known to his wife from her childhood.

His first letter to me gave me details of his various serious medical problems – however, he wrote of them as an inconvenience rather than a major factor.  Every letter from Tony both moved and amused me.  His acceptance of his complex medical condition, his confidence in the French medical system and tales of his humour when joking with the various drivers to his many medical appointments. 

Whilst we never met, his letters and attitude, almost of humour, gave me a deep impression of a brave and cheerful soul.  A renowned French writer penned the following;

“LA PARFAITE VALEUR EST DE FAIRE SANS TEMOINS CE QU’ON SERAIT CAPABLE DE FAIRE DEVANT TOUT LE MONDE” 

“Perfect courage lies in behaving without witnesses as we would be capable of behaving in full view”.

Au Revoir Tony, mon ami

With condolences to Gillie and family (Bill Huggins 5th)

Have You Any Photographs Or Other Memories Of the 25th Entry RAF Administrative Apprentices? If So You Can E-Mail Them To: administrator@rafadappassn.org